Masterson gets the call

In a surprise move, the Red Sox called up 23-year old Justin Masterson from Double-A Portland to start today’s early finale against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Say that team name enough times, and you’ll have wasted too much of your life on it… The rotation is in a bit of disarray, with Josh Beckett and Daisuke Matsuzaka both out with the flu.

Anyways, Masterson has been top-notch at Portland thus far, going 1-0 in four starts with a 0.95 ERA over 19 IP. He’s struck out 23 and walked only five, and maybe most impressively, he’s managed to get 74% ground balls, and allowed zero homers. He struck out 10 over 5 innings in his latest start at Binghamton. Francona has announced an infield of Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, Julio Lugo and Jed Lowrie with Kevin Cash behind the dish, and they can all expect to get in some good work today. Let’s go Sox!

Don’t expect too much, but I’m looking forward to seeing that widely-praised sinker from the 6-6 righty. He’s supposed to be on a 90-pitch count limit for today, so I’ll be happy if he can give us five innings. Read my profile on him here.